UNEB boss warns schools on conmen

As Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) exams enter the second week, the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), executive secretary Dan Odongo has strongly warned schools to be aware of conmen that are going around selling fake examination papers.

Speaking to New Vision on Sunday, Odongo noted that despite the first week of exams going on quiet well with limited challenges, there is an issue of conmen who are selling fake papers, especially mathematics and quiet a number of schools have been approached by them.

Odongo said though one case was reported in Luweero district, the problem is common in Kampala and surrounding areas. Regarding arrests, he said that only one person was arrested while in two other cases, the culprits escaped.

"We want the schools and general public to know that there are conmen selling fake examination papers purporting to be UNEB papers. Do not rely on this information in case you're approached by them. Alert Police instead and they will be arrested" said Odongo.

"Obtaining such fake papers leaves candidates completely disillusioned, they concentrate on information and questions in these papers and reaching into the examination room, they find the set questions are totally different from what they expected. They realize they not only wasted time, but what they prepared for is not there and they end up failing. Schools must be on the lookout for these quacks" Odongo added.

UCE exams started on 17 October and will go on until 23^rd November and a total of slightly over 1,600 scouts and security personnel were deployed to monitor the examinations throughout the country.

On the issue of exam delivery, he noted that there are no challenges whatsoever and schools are receiving materials on time and starting papers on time.

UNEB executive secretary Dan Odongo.

In addition to the 1,600, Odongo noted that there have been reshuffles and 500 more scouts including security personnel were deployed during the weekend to be part of the team.

Increase in candidature

This year, UNEB has registered a total of 323,129 candidates from 3,453 exam centres, which are grouped under 445 examination storage stations.

The candidature of UCE has increased by 8,560 about 3% increment from 314,569 in 2015.

For the three levels of examinations (UCE, PLE and UACE), UNEB will examine a total of 1,068,224 candidates while about 1,036,662 sat for the three sets last year.